UCLA Relay for Life

This past weekend was UCLA's Relay for Life. I have been doing the event for the past four years in high school but I had never done a college relay before. It was definitely a different experience but just as enjoyable and just as meaningful. My dad and grandma were so great- they arrived the morning of to help set up our Chi Omega campsite- we definitely had the best campsite on the track! We had 10 girls on the team but we had a lot more Chi Omegas come by and keep us company. I heard so many touching stories throughout the day and it made me appreciate how fortunate I am to have all my family still alive today. It also reminded me that you should never judge others because everyone has a personal story that you never know about until they tell you- there is a reason for why people are who they are and why they do the things they do. This year was especially touching for me because I was reminded of how thankful I am to have my mom in my life; I am so thankful for her health and well-being. Chi Omega did such a great job fundraising- we raised over $7,000! I believe that was 3rd place at the Relay! Definitely the best Greek House at the Event! You go girls!

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Chi Omega Formal

On Friday night Chi Omega had our annual formal. I had the best time and it was definitely a night to remember! It was so nice getting to celebrate with my sisters and I had so much fun dancing the night away with my date. Our formal was on a four story yacht so that made the experience all the better. These events always remind me how fortunate I am to have such wonderful friends and people in my life- it makes life all the more special.

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Taylor Swift Concert

On Thursday night my friend Lizzy from Chi Omega invited me to see the Taylor Swift concert with her at the Staples Center. We had the best time and I was so happy that she asked me to go! We had a great dinner at Fish and Stone restaurant and we had so much fun dancing and singing during the show. Kellie Pickler and Gloriana also performed before Taylor so it was fun to see them as well. Also- fun fact- while we were in the merchandise line Lisa Rhinni from Dancing with the Stars was standing behind us- I can't believe how many people asked to take pictures with her! As for Taylor- wow! What an amazing show- I've never seen a concert like that before. It was like watching a Broadway musical- she was so talented and every song was such a production. She seemed like such a sweet girl and was so humbled by all of it- I can't imagine being 19 and selling out the Staples Center- what a feeling. I love her music and she sounds just as good live as she does on the radio. She had the best costumes and it was cool that Katy Perry made a guest appearance! It was a fabulous night and I'm so happy Lizzy invited me!

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Eleusinia

Yesterday my Chi Omega sisters and I celebrated the 115th anniversary of our sorority. We went down to Pasadena at the Sheraton and it was a very lovely luncheon. The Calpoly Pomona chapter along with our alumnae members were also present and it was great to meet some new people in the sisterhood. Lunch was delicious- and we all especially enjoyed the red velvet cupcakes- at least I did! I was really honored to be given the "Emerging Leader" award which is voted on by the girls in our chapter. While I am very flattered, I want to continue working hard for our sorority and making sure that we continue to shine on campus! We have our Relay for Life event coming up and I hope that the event is a huge success for us. Yesterday was just a reminder of why I want to be at UCLA and why I want to keep striving for success.

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John Lovitz Comedy Club

Last week Kelly, Jessica, and I went to the John Lovitz comedy club in CityWalk! We had so much fun and it was definitely a new experience. I was impressed with how talented he was- I never knew that he could sing and play piano along with being a comedian. We all had so much fun hanging out together even though there were some awkward moments in the show- one of the opening acts pegged me out from the audience and I asked me how old I was- I guess I looked pretty shocked by some of his racist jokes- but then again he did say he was a felon and that he shot someone so most people would look a little shocked. Nevertheless, it was a great time and I'm so glad that we went!

Bridal Shower

One of the main reasons I came home this weekend was to help my mom with the bridal shower she was hosting for one of her coworkers, Jamie. We had so much fun preparing for the party- but there was definitely a lot of work to be done! Grandma and I had fun making appetizers together and of course I got into character for the fiesta theme! The best part of the night was getting to relax with my parents in the jacuzzi and just talk about life together. They give me such great advice and it's really interesting to compare our experiences of college life- so much has changed but yet so much is still the same. I guess that's life.

My Brain!

Last week I participated in a psychology study testing the effects of empathy on the brain. It included two weeks of nightly surveys on how connected I felt with people and the final segment included an MRI of my brain. I was a little worried that I'd be claustrophobic but it wasn't a problem at all! Especially since they put $10,000 goggles on me that showed everything on the experimenter's computer. I was so glad that I could participate and I got paid for it, too! $110- woo hoo! And apparently, according to the pictures, the lab workers said that I have a very healthy brain! Great!

Happy Easter!

Today we celebrated Easter with our family which was so wonderful. We began the day by going to church and celebrating the Lord's resurrection. He is risen! After church we went our to the Saticoy Country Club for a delicious brunch. My ultimate weakness is all the sweets- especially since I was supposed to give them up for Lent. Notice the words "supposed to"! Anyway- we all had a great time spending the morning together even though we missed my cousin Sara who is away at college in Colorado. It was beautiful day and I'm looking forward to seeing them all again in a couple of weeks!

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Tomorrowland Party!

Last week I had so much fun going out with my Chi Omega sisters to celebrate the beginning of spring quarter! Our theme was tommorrowland so we all had fun in our space age outfits. It's always so much fun to dress up and I've surprisingly made good use of my mom's outfits from the 70s and 80s- so glad she saved so much of all that good stuff! It was especially great to go out dancing with one of our newest Chi Os- Nivedita. She and I have been friends since the summer from the UCLA Wildnerness Welcome program but she only recently became a Chi Omega. I think we all had a great time that night!

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Debutante Ball 2010

This post is a little late- I just got the pictures- but I remember the night like it was yesterday! A couple weeks ago we celebrated at my best friend Lauren's Debutante Ball. It was a beautiful ceremony and as a former debutante, it was so much fun to see the presentation from the other side of the curtain. Lauren looked absolutely beautiful and I couldn't help but cry when she was presented- I am so proud of her and I am so blessed to share so many special and fun memories with her. We are lifetime besties!
Everything about the event was perfect: the room looked absolutely gorgeous- from the ornate bouquets to the silver and china- it was a night to remember. I loved the fillet mignon but Lauren and I especially loved the Dulce De leche dessert- so good! We had so much fun dancing the night away- even my Grandma Joan got on the dance floor! I was impressed! And it was so much fun to swing and waltz with my dad- he was so excited to get on the dance floor! Every minute of that night was special and happy. I'm so glad that I could come home from college to see the event and I hope you enjoy the pictures!

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